Ethiopia reiterates commitment to finalize GERD talks with win-win outcome

Addis Ababa, August 4, 2020 (FBC) – Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, in a statement issued today, said Ethiopia is commited to finalize negotiation process on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam with a win-win outcome

Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr. Sileshi Bekele noted that progress has been made since the AU led process has started.

The Ministers of Water Affairs of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have continued the tripartite negotiation on the GERD under the AU framework via video conference.

The tripartite meeting is being attended by observers and experts assigned by African Union.

Dr. Sileshi underscored the resolve of the Heads of Government of the three countries to arrive at speedy and agreement on first filling in shorter and comprehensive agreement addressing the outstanding issues on the GERD Negotiations.

The Ministers have agreed on the procedure for the trilateral negotiation underway, the statement indicates.

Accordingly, the negotiation will continue for the coming two weeks with a combination of trilateral ministerial meeting, expert working group meetings, and sessions with experts and observers.

For the coming two days, the expert working groups will hold negotiation meetings focusing on the outstanding issues, according to the statement issued by Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy today.

It is to be recalled that the negotiation which had started on 27 July 2020 was postponed by a week following Sudan’ s request.